The difference between merit transference recitation in other Buddhist schools and Jodo Shinshu

Fragment from one of our zoom meetings with members of Amidaji sangha.

Here I was making reference to the EKO (merit transference) part of our recitations in Jodo Shinshu which reads as follows:

doshi: GA-N NI SHI KU DO KU [1]
May the merits of the [Primal] Vow [of Amida]
doon: BYO – U DO – U SE IS – SA – I
be received equally by all beings
DO – U HO – TSU BO DA – I SHI – N
May all develop bodhicitta [2],
O – U JO – U A – A – A – A – N RAK – KOKU
And may they be born in the Land of Peace and Bliss

Notes:
[1] In the practices based on personal power the practitioner “earns” virtues which he transfers for his own Enlightenment. But in the case of Other Power (Pure Land) way, the transference of merits takes place from Amida Buddha to those who entrust to Him. This transference of merit (eko) carries the follower to the Pure Land where he attains Nirvana or perfect Enlightenment. Shinran Shonin says in a hymn:

“When sentient beings of this evil world
of the five defilements
Entrust themselves to the selected Primal Vow,
Virtues indescribable, inexplicable, and inconceivable
Fill those practitioners."

The merit transference from Amida to the practitioner has two aspects:
1) the merit transference of going forth (Oso-Eko) and 2) the merit transference of returning to this world (Genso-Eko).
The first refers to the fact that through Amida's transference of merit we go to His Pure Land where we become Buddhas, while the second one means that after we become Buddhas in the Pure Land by sharing the same Enlightenment as Amida, we return to the various samsaric realms and universes, to save all beings.

[2] Bodhicita or Bodhi Mind is the aspiration to attain Budhahood for oneself and all beings. This is fulfilled in the Awakening of Faith (shinjin) in the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha. Master Shan-tao said: “Awake your Bodhi Mind to Amida’s Compasion”, that is, aspire to your and other beings Liberation by relying on the Compasion of Amida (His Primal Vow). So, the Awakening of the Bodhi Mind, the obligatory condition in Mahayana for attaining the supreme Enlightenment, appears in Jodo Shinshu in the form of the entrusting heart (shinjin). Shinran Shonin said,

“The mind aspiring to become Buddha
Is the mind seeking to save sentient beings;
The mind that seeks to save sentient beings
Is True Faith endowed by Amida’s Compassion.”
(Hymns on the Patriachs, 18)

Click here to see a record of Amidaji Nembutsu liturgy - http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2018/11/simple-nembutsu-service-from-amidaji.html

Click here if you wish to support my Dharma activities by donations. Any little help is useful and very much needed - http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/p/donation.html